William "Bill" Walsh

William Walsh, 94 year old resident of Freedhem passed away Tuesday, October 1 at his daughter's home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church Belle Prairie. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 4 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service and from 9:30 A.M. until the hour of the service on Saturday at the church. The burial will be held in the parish cemetery.  The Knights of Columbus will Pray at 6:00 P.M. on Friday evening at the funeral home.

William George Walsh was born on November 21, 1929 in Pierz, MN at the family's home to the late George and Maude Mary (Pelkey) Walsh. He grew up in the Pierz area with his sister, Margaret. Bill attended rural country school near Pierz until the ninth grade. He helped his family on the farm after completing his schooling. He served his country in the United States Army, where he received his Boiler license. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Minnesota. He was united in marriage to Josephine Zasmeta on June 9, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls. The couple made their home in rural Platte Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Bill dairy farmed and raised beef, he also worked as a ground’s keeper and heavy equipment operator at Camp Ripley for 25 years. He had many side jobs like hauling milk from area farmers to earn extra income for the family. Bill was a faithful member of Holy Family Church and was active with the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. William will be remembered and loved by all who knew him. 

Left to cherish his memory are his: children, John Walsh of Pierz, Linda LeBlanc of Pierz, Jane (Al) Schneider of Fort Ripley, Robert Walsh of Pierz, Patty Wolthuizen of Pierz, Kathleen (Rick) Hebler of Pierz and Michael Walsh of Pierz; grandchildren, Nikki, Matthew, Amanda, Clint, Jason, Jennifer, Sara, Bradley, Joshua, Cassie, Jesse, Brittany, Katarina, Logan, Tyler, Madison, Dainara, Spencer; 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Maude Walsh; beloved wife, Josephine Walsh of 60 years on November 17, 2020; son-in-law, Ken LeBlanc; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret (James) Casanova.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of William.